Article in The Northwestern about re:TH!NK

December 27, 2009
Drug-free coalition hopes to increase its appeal with name change

By Jennifer K. Woldtof The Northwestern

A community coalition aimed at changing the attitudes and behavior teens have about drugs and alcohol has changed its name.

The change is an attempt to reach out not only to the county’s youth, but also to get more people involved in changing their habits, while challenging cultural norms the group sees in Wisconsin when it comes to alcohol, drugs and tobacco.The Tobacco-Free and Drug-Free Communities Coalition of Winnebago County was renamed re:Th!nk: Your Life. Your Choice. on Dec. 17, 200 days before the state goes smoke-free on July 5.

The coalition is funded with federal and state dollars and aims to tackle the problems of drinking, drugs and tobacco among young people through a variety of programs and outreach efforts.

While the coalition targets its efforts at youth, Emily Dieringer, a coalition coordinator who focuses on tobacco issues, said many of the organization’s efforts pertain to other community members because the work attempts to change attitudes about alcohol, drugs and tobacco."We’re still going to be working on the same stuff, but with the new name and outlook, we’re hoping to be more effective with the coalition," Dieringer said. "We’re trying to change the community’s health and we need the community’s help to do that."

Dieringer said the old name was "standoffish" and gave the impression the coalition was against all alcohol and tobacco use. The coalition hopes the new name has broad appeal, and Dieringer said she hopes it makes people think about the roles alcohol and tobacco play in their lives and whether it leads to a healthy life.

"We’re trying to make people healthier and our community a better place to live," Dieringer said.

View the article online at The Northwestern's site here: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991226060